Helmets while riding 2 wheelers are mandatory in most countries. In a country like India where bikes are common place, I cannot comprehend why these are not made compulsory regulation.... No doubt the RTO are getting a little strict in Goa, but there is still the element of enforcing the law for everyone.
Some of the common liners I've heard are: "It's too hot to wear a helmet" "I can't see the road clearly" "I can't use the mobile phone" (This is the best by far!) "It's too loose" "My hair itches" (Yeah right!) "I can't talk to the person behind me" In my honest opinion, whether one is in the city limits or the highway, helmets MUST be worn. Having said that, I have to admit, I did notice a increasingly large number of people wearing helmets on my last visit to Goa. On a personal note, I was challenged by a inspector on the highway for not wearing the right 'type' of helmet. When asked what construed the right 'type', I understood that the leniency of 'type' varied according to the nature of the zeros that were handed in with the licence .... Best wishes, Allwyn -----Original Message----- From: Goa Desc [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 16 April 2005 10:31 To: [email protected] Subject: [Goanet]ROAD SAFETY Learning from Tragedy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- ------------------------------ Learning from Tragedy ----------------------------- Recently, when wearing of helmets by two-wheeler riders was declared to be mandatory, many of us raised a hue and cry, citing so many reasons for not wearing a helmet. Personally speaking, I felt it was a silly rule. But, the recent death of one of my closest friend's brother along with his friend made me think otherwise. Had they been wearing helmets, they may have survived. It was heart-rending to see the bereaved family, with a haunted look in their eyes, the disbelief and the agony writ large on their faces, trying to come to terms with the loss of their only son. In today's fast-paced world, youngsters hardly spare a moment to think about life and their loved ones. It is only incidents like these which strike too close at home, that make us youngsters sit up and take stock of our lives. I sincerely appeal to all the two-wheeler riders to wear helmets, not by force, but by choice. Many of us may argue that there is no guarantee that wearing a helmet will save one's life. But, at least, we will die knowing that we valued this precious gift called life. Janice Fernandes, Cansaulim in a letter to the Editor ----------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 16/04/05 page 8 -----------------------------------------------
